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Toyota plans to unveil hybrid truck at 2008 auto show

Toyota Motor Corp plans to introduce a concept hybrid pickup truck featuring improved fuel economy and lower emissions at next year's North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the automaker said yesterday.

The A-BAT concept vehicle is equipped with Hybrid Synergy Drive, Toyota's third-generation gas-electric hybrid powertrain technology, according to the company. Its trapezoidal profile was borrowed from the Prius, another hybrid Toyota vehicle.

`NEXT EVOLUTION'

"This concept is the next evolution of the compact truck," said Kevin Hunter, president of Calty Design Research Inc, Toyota's North American-based research and design center, in a statement.

The four-passenger pickup features a 1.2m-long bed, while a roof panel slides open to allow for tall cargo inside the cab. The bed can be extended by 60cm by lowering the passthrough midgate into the cab and by another 60cm by opening the tailgate.

HIGH-TECH GADGETS

The truck uses a unibody platform for improved handling and a smoother ride. Inside, there is a retractable portable navigation unit with an 18cm screen and wireless Internet, while the center console houses a portable battery pack.

Both the driver and front passenger have large display screens to view the status of their high-tech gadgets.

The A-BAT has solar panels atop the instrument panel to capture sunlight and convert it to energy, to assist in charging the navigation unit, battery pack and backlit information displays, Toyota said.
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